According to MakeMyTrip, flight bookings to these two countries have dropped by 60%, while cancellations have surged by 250% in just one week.
The travel backlash comes after both nations openly backed Pakistan following India’s Operation Sindoor.
While some travellers are cancelling plans, others are choosing alternative destinations. “At Pickyourtrail, we have seen only limited cancellations,” said Hari Ganapathy, Co-Founder, Pickyourtrail.
“We’ve been sharing updates with customers to reassure them of the situation. Many are retaining original travel dates, while others are switching to safer destinations like Greece, Morocco, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia,” he said.
But for those who have cancelled or are reconsidering their travel plans, one question arises: Will travel insurance cover these losses?
It depends on your policy.
Travel insurance can protect against several disruption, but not all policies cover political situations or voluntary cancellations.
If the cancellation is driven purely by the traveller’s personal choice or due to a political boycott campaign, standard travel insurance may not provide compensation, experts say.
Know what’s covered
Standard travel insurance usually covers:
- Flight delays or cancellations due to technical issues or weather.
- Medical emergencies abroad.
- Lost baggage or passport.
- Trip interruptions due to illness or natural calamities.
But in politically charged situations like this:
- Boycott-led voluntary cancellations are not usually covered.
- Civil unrest or war-like conditions are excluded unless explicitly covered by add-ons.
Travellers heading to sensitive regions must opt for plans with extended or high-risk coverage.
These plans can include cancellation coverage for political unrest, terrorism, or government-imposed bans.
What to do if you cancel?
If you’re considering cancelling:
- Review your policy documents carefully
- Check for coverage related to political unrest or official advisories
- Contact your insurer and airline before making changes
- Retain all receipts, emails, and cancellation notices for documentation
